Troopers escort suspects to waiting squad cars
MIDDLETOWN – Authorities in Orange County, New York and Sussex
County, New Jersey culminated a seven-month narcotics investigation with
18 arrests this morning on narcotics, conspiracy and money laundering
charges.
Several search warrants were executed resulting in the arrests. Drugs – four pounds of cocaine, rifles and cash were seized. The coke was recovered from a location in New Jersey.
The investigation centered on the activities of a cocaine distribution network throughout Orange County, surrounding counties and Sussex County, New Jersey.
District Attorney David Hoovler said while drug investigations have centered on Newburgh, Middletown and Port Jervis, law enforcement is branching out.
“This is all part of our ongoing initiative here in Orange County where we not only focus on the three cities, but we are starting to focus more on the 20 towns and 19 villages, particularly the narcotics trafficking in those locations,” Hoovler said.
Drugs
Guns
Cash
Arrested in Friday’s operation were:
Brandon Masker, 33, Warwick – operating as a major trafficker
Ryan Culver, 29, Otisville – conspiracy, criminal possession of drugs
Anthony Spagnola, 56, Cuddebackville – Operating as a major trafficker
Gerald O’Brien, III, 33, Pine Island – conspiracy
Charles Sawtelle, 53, Westbrookville – conspiracy, criminal possession of drugs
Kevin Kelly, 31, Warwick – conspiracy
Richard Tomczak, Jr., 34, Goshen – conspiracy
Peter Noger, 55, Goshen – conspiracy
Robert Howell, 55, Warwick – conspiracy
Samantha Weber O’Brien, 33, Pine Island
Anthony Rizzo, 53, Warwick – conspiracy
Cody Caplandies, 21, Middletown – conspiracy
Thomas Caplandies, Jr., 46, Bloomingburg – conspiracy
Jenna Manapat, 24, Johnson – conspiracy
Jacob Gavin, 25, Wurtsboro – conspiracy
David Nielson, 47, Middletown – conspiracy
Wendy Gladkowsky, 50, Cuddebackville – conspiracy
Miguel Galvan, 36, Vernon, NJ – charged in New Jersey – maintaining or operating a controlled danger substance production facility, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, certain persons not to possess weapons, possession of weapon and controlled dangerous substance, prohibited weapons device; charged in New York – criminal possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy
Participating in the arrests were the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit, Orange County District Attorney’s Office and Sussex County, New Jersey Prosecutor’s Office.
